Pitsenbarger displays strong sense of communityPiqua Daily Call, Piqua, OH – April 7, 2013Piqua High School educator Joyce Pitsenbarger saves students. The teacher for the school's Novanet program is the last chance for some at-risk kids to get a high school diploma.

Legislators focusing on education reformsNews-Record, Raleigh, NC – April 7, 2013This may prove a watershed year for education in North Carolina, with the state’s Republican legislative majority rolling out bills that could bring comprehensive reform. House Bill 235 would raise the high school dropout age from 16 to 18, unless the student’s parents consent, take part in a counseling session and sign a form that lays out the consequences of leaving school early.

Juvenile Justice

Justice for all, including juveniles: Catherine 'Kitty' KimballThe Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA – April 7, 2013I have spent the past two decades serving on the Louisiana Supreme Court. During that time, I have made juvenile justice reform a priority. I'm proud to say that the reform initiatives recently announced by Gov. Bobby Jindal are a huge step in that direction. The governor has promised to propose initiatives in the upcoming legislative session to reform the Families in Need of Services program -- to address the needs of at-risk youth before they enter the court system -- and to apply an integrated case-management system across all departments that deal with our youth.

Foster Care

Youth aging out of foster care system would receive help under billNebraska Radio Network, Nebraska – April 5, 2013Youth forced out of the state foster care system would receive extra assistance in their transition into adulthood under a bill moving forward in the legislature. Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln tells colleagues during legislative floor debate the bill arises out of the failure of the current state system. “We’re debating this bill, because we have children who come out of the system and they end up in homeless shelters,” Coash says. “We have to talk about this bill, because when children come out of this system they’re ill-prepared to work, they’re ill-prepared to live independently, they’re ill-prepared to deal with substance abuse.”

Georgia Program Reopens Foster Care Cold CasesYouth Today, Atlanta, GA – April 8, 2013In far north Georgia, 17-year-old “Brandon” lives in a group home. He has been the ward of two states in his short life. Put up for adoption in Tennessee, adopted, then abandoned in Georgia. He’s been in foster care for eight years.

Giving Florida’s foster kids a chance to live a ‘normal’ lifeStar-Banner, Florida – April 7, 2013For Florida kids in foster care — and the foster parents, guardians and attorneys who advocate for their lives and futures — the word “normal” is not in their vocabulary. However, both the Florida House and Senate have passed bills that will help eliminate some restrictions and reporting requirements that prevent foster children from enjoying normal activities like other kids. It now awaits Gov. Rick Scott’s expected signature to become law.

Teen Pregnancy

Judge Strikes Down Age Limits on Morning-After PillThe New York Times, New York, NY – April 5, 2013A federal judge on Friday ordered that the most common morning-after pill be made available over the counter for all ages, instead of requiring a prescription for girls 16 and younger. But his acidly worded decision raises a broader question about whether a cabinet secretary can decide on a drug’s availability for reasons other than its safety and effectiveness.